The Three Lions will start their World Cup campaign against the Azzurri in Manaus, and the ex-midfielder has insisted that it is a great draw for the English.

"It's a perfect group for us," said Hoddle, after Hodgson's charges avoided the likes of 2010 winners Spain, as well as Argentina and Germany. "There are easier ones out there but there are tougher, too.

"An easier group would have meant more expectation and more pressure so we needed an edge to a group and possibly being third favourites in it.

"And if we can get through it and beat a couple of good teams, it will stand us in good stead and we can get right into the tournament.

"It's good that we get that one in the jungle out of the way as that being in the middle would have made it difficult, and then we have Costa Rica, a team we should beat, as the card up our sleeve last up."

"We've had a bit of luck and it's about time we had it in a World Cup and I think we can get out of the group - especially if our spine remains fit.”